Major city · Ghana
Bolgatanga
Spend 1–2 days in Bolgatanga: market, crafts, and a day trip to Paga (crocodile pond).
Bolgatanga is the craft hub of northern Ghana, known for straw baskets, hats and leather goods. The town is reachable by public bus from Tamale (3 h) and offers a compact market, library and painted‑house villages. A short day‑trip to Paga adds wildlife interest.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GHS
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- TML
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Ghana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Ghana Immigration Service or a Ghanaian mission before booking; many nationalities need a visa in advance.
- Ghana ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Ghana before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport if you have one.
- Ghana ↗Do not photograph police, military sites, airports or the presidential buildings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bolgatanga191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bolgatanga, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵).Ghana-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN has the widest coverage, with Telecel (ex-Vodafone) and AT as alternatives…Ghana-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Ghana-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is added.Ghana-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ghana-wide
- SafetyBolgatanga is generally safe for day visitors; stay aware of traffic and keep valuables secure in taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; public toilets charge a few cedis.Ghana-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 192 fire · 193 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday mornings are for church and many shops open late; offices close on public holidays.Ghana-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTML Tamale Airport (about 161 km (100 mi) north, 3 h bus).TML Tamale Airport (about 100 mi (161 km) north, 3 h bus).
- Getting aroundTaxis gather at the market and bus loop; they usually carry 4–5 passengers.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet food (waakye, jollof, banku)GHS 5–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi (6.2 mi (10 km))checkGHS 15–20
- Budget bedBudget hotel or guesthouse, a night, per personGHS 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GHS 30 · Mid GHS 80 · High GHS 150
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TML Tamale Airport (about 161 km (100 mi) north, 3 h bus)TML Tamale Airport (about 100 mi (161 km) north, 3 h bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Apr (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bolgatanga: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis gather at the market and bus loop; they usually carry 4–5 passengers. Tricycles (“can‑do”) are cheaper and faster for short hops.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Paga crocodile pond
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Shared ride or taxi east on N10, ~30 km (19 mi), 45 minShared ride or taxi east on N10, ~19 mi (30 km), 45 min
Photo with crocodiles costs about GHS 6.
Sumbrungu painted houses
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Taxi west on N10, ~8 km (5 mi), 15 minTaxi west on N10, ~5 mi (8 km), 15 min
Free to view; photo opportunities.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Top Hotel Ghana
Central, free Wi‑Fi, breakfast, pool; price GHS 600–800 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- GHS 30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- GHS 80–120 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel or guesthouse2 × 1 night × GHS 600 | GHS 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GHS 30 | GHS 60 |
| Public bus from Tamale (round‑trip)2 × GHS 30 · check | GHS 60 |
| Taxi within town (average 10 km ride)2 × GHS 15 · check | GHS 30 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × GHS 50 · check | GHS 100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GHS 145 |
| Trip total≈ GHS 798 per person per day, bed included | GHS 1,595 |
per night
2026 estimate in Ghanaian cedi; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Soda | GHS 1 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | GHS 0.20 |
| Street food (waakye, jollof, banku) | GHS 5–10 |
| Taxi (10 km)check | GHS 15–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi rides often fill up; allow extra waiting time.
- Tap water may cause stomach upset; buy bottled or sachet water.
- Public buses can be crowded; keep belongings secure.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 192
- Ambulance
- 193
- General
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BolgatangaBolgatanga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Mepa wo kyɛw, kɔ haTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire192
- Ambulance193
- General112
Embassy
US consulate in Accra; other embassies in Accra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tamale → Bolgatanga bus: about GHS 30 one‑way, 3 h (check)
- Taxi within Bolgatanga (10 km): about GHS 15–20 (check)
Say or show
- Ɛte sɛn — Hello (eh-teh sen)
- Ɛhe na ɛwɔ? — How much? (eh-heh nah eh-woh)
- Meda wo ase — Thank you (meh-dah woh ah-seh)
- Ɛhe na adwumayɛbea no wɔ? — Where is the market? (eh-heh nah ah-dwoo-ma-yeh-beh-ah noh woh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bolgatanga. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bolgatanga
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